Archive for September, 2009
KSMQ recieves grant from Qwest

Qwest representatives Karen Jothen and Travis Gilster presented KSMQ president/CEO Marianne Potter with a check at the KSMQ studios in Austin.
KSMQ received a $2,500 grant from Qwest Foundation’s Spirit of Service project in support of community outreach programs geared toward strengthening early learning skills. Grants like this one from Qwest play a large role in KSMQ’s ability to prepare children for school. Public television promotes lifelong learning and KSMQ is proud to play such an important role in childhood education.
No commentsBritish Comedy Society Afternoon Tea

The charter members of the KSMQ British Comedy Society met this Saturday at the Hormel Historic Home in Austin for a British Afternoon Tea. The guests all dressed in their finest tea attire and everyone even wore a hat! We enjoyed tasty finger sandwiches and some delectable desserts. We also played some British tea trivia and had some great door prizes. We also showcased some British programs and discussed making some changes to the KSMQ British programming. It was a very fun day and we hope to have another tea in the spring. If you are interested in becoming a part of the British Comedy Society, call the station at 800-658-2539 for more details.
No commentsThe National Parks: America’s Best Idea Special Preview Event

Victoria Simonsen and Marianne Potter
On Wednesday, September 23, KSMQ hosted a special preview event at our Austin studios. The event was a live HD downlink from Central Park in New York City that was celebrating the new Ken Burns film “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” The event featured clips from the new film, remarks from Ken Burns and co-producer Dayton Duncan as well as musical performances from guests including Allison Krauss, Gavin Degraw, Carole King and Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary. Nearly 50 guests from all over the region attended the event and everyone was very excited about the upcoming National Parks film. KSMQ will be premiering the film on Sunday, October 11 at 7:00pm. Visit the KSMQ National Parks website at www.ksmq.org/parks.
No commentsCities on the Move… Social Networking

Calling all Twitterers As host of Cities on the Move, I am very excited about the upcoming Town Hall Special. Social networking just isn’t something I’ve hooked into yet in any significant fashion.
Yes, I finally experimented with a Facebook profile – though it is dreadfully plain, and I’ve signed up for LinkedIn – primarily because someone else invited me. I have yet to understand why anyone would want to hear me tweet about my work in the garden or where I had lunch. What was that Ashton Kutcher competition with CNN all about???
I admit to being a slow technology adaptor, so I’m especially interested in learning more about how the new on-line social networking tools can be used. We have a great guest line-up who have a wide variety of experiences to share. I hope you will tune in September 29 at 6:30 p.m. for our LIVE show. Email us at ask@ksmq.org or call us at 1-800-MY-KMSQ during the program to add your insights to this new on-line world.
Stephanie Passingham, Producer
Cities on the Move
Cities on the Move… In the Field.

Pigs, pigs and more pigs… I just got back from shooting footage for an upcoming story on the National Barrow Show held in Austin, Minnesota. The crowd was robust, the award winners were smiling and most of the pigs were snoozing – unconcerned about all of the bustle around them. This event is enjoying its 63rd anniversary and features eight different breeds of swine. Exhibitors come from all over the United States to showcase their pigs and their judging capabilities. Special thanks to Joel Nelson for showing us around.
Today we also had a chance to visit with some people dedicated to helping the homeless. They host an annual Sleep in a Box fundraiser to help raise awareness of this issue. Sometimes we think of homeless people living under bridges in big cities…but we have people who need our help right in the region, too.
As always, I’m looking for good suggestions for upcoming stories. Please post them here…it might inspire someone else’s good idea, too!
Cities on the Move is a great place to share your thoughts on a variety of topics – and since you’re reading this blog, I know you’ll enjoy the upcoming Town Hall. Join us! Have a program topic or idea? Please let me know, simply e-mail me at: stephanie@ksmq.org
Stephanie Passingham, Producer
Cities on the Move